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Iranian nationals appear in London court over alleged bomb plot against Manchester Jews

Prosecutors say men were directed by figure based in Iran, planned attack on Jewish community using homemade explosive

By LineZotpaper
Published
Updated
Read Time2 min
Sources4 outlets
Two Iranian nationals have appeared in a London court charged with plotting a terrorist attack using a homemade bomb targeting the Jewish community in Manchester, with prosecutors alleging the plot was directed by a figure based in Iran.

Rahman Salehi, 34, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, appeared before Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday after being arrested on September 20 at the start of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Prosecutors allege the two men were conducting hostile surveillance on potential Jewish targets in Manchester, including the Manchester Jewish Museum and Heaton Park synagogue.

Heaton Park synagogue was the scene of a deadly attack almost a year ago in which two Jewish worshippers were killed.

Prosecutor Mark Luckett told the court that both defendants are accused of preparing acts of terrorism targeting the Jewish community in Manchester through the use of a homemade explosive device. He said the men were in contact with a third party who is alleged to have directed and coordinated the attack planning and provided instructions on how to assemble a homemade bomb.

The case marks the latest in a series of alleged Iran-linked plots on British soil, heightening concerns about state-sponsored terrorism and the security of Jewish communities in the UK.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The alleged plot, if proven, represents a direct threat to Jewish communities in the UK and raises questions about the extent of Iranian state involvement in terrorism on British soil.
  • The timing of the arrests on Yom Kippur underscores the alleged targeting of Jewish religious sites and symbols.
  • The case follows a deadly attack at Heaton Park synagogue less than a year ago, intensifying fears of a pattern of violence against Jewish worshippers in Manchester.

Background

Manchester has a large Jewish community and has seen a rise in antisemitic incidents in recent years. The Heaton Park synagogue attack in late 2025, in which two worshippers were killed, shocked the city and prompted heightened security measures. The UK has previously accused Iran of orchestrating or sponsoring attacks on British soil, including a foiled plot to bomb a Jewish community centre in London in 2015. The current case adds to a pattern of alleged Iranian-directed operations targeting dissidents and Jewish groups overseas. Iran has consistently denied involvement in such plots.

Key Perspectives

UK authorities: View the alleged plot as a serious act of terrorism directed from abroad, and have emphasised the importance of counter-terrorism intelligence and community policing to protect Jewish sites. Iranian government: Has historically denied directing attacks on foreign soil, and is likely to dismiss the allegations as politically motivated or fabricated by Western intelligence services. Community leaders and critics: Have expressed alarm at the frequency of plots targeting Jewish institutions and called for stronger security guarantees and diplomatic action against states accused of sponsoring such attacks.

What to Watch

  • The next court appearance and whether the men are granted bail or remanded in custody.
  • Any statements from UK or Iranian officials regarding the alleged involvement of a third party in Iran.
  • Potential diplomatic fallout between the UK and Iran, including possible sanctions or expulsions.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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